just for the joy of it - It's a Vivas Thing!

Sep 01 2014

In case you didn’t know…..

It seems like yesterday all she was interested in was her Simba and her blankie.

It seems like yesterday we were planning her sweet sixteen.

It seems like yesterday we were taking her senior photos.

It seems like just yesterday, she fell in love….and got engaged…

And today….today was a day a mother wonders about for years. The day that plays through a mother’s mind as her baby grows up…the day when her daughter goes in search of that perfect dress…the one that will be worn on that perfect day…to marry the man of her dreams. I thought it might be an emotional day, and I wanted everything to be just as she dreamed it would be. We had fun looking through dresses the night before and picking the ones she liked. We had even more fun walking thru the bridal store looking through so many dresses in hopes of finding the one.

I mean, we’ve all seen, “Say Yes, to the Dress,” right?

And then, we had a little moment in the dressing room. I am sure she didn’t think anything of it, but I thought everything of it. Silly, but true.

And then I was instructed to sit. That’s all the help I was allowed to offer. After all, I am the Mother of the Bride.

And I’ve only been the Mother of the Groom. Which was amazing….and I love my sweet new daughter. And I remember seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress, not too long before the ceremony was supposed to start. She was stunning…all dressed up and ready to marry my son. She probably didn’t think to much of it, but I did. A Bride, ready to meet her Groom.

So, Mother of the Bride is new to me. And as I sat there waiting, she took my breath away when she walked out in the first dress.

And she continued to take my breath away as she tried on the dresses that just might be that one.

And then, I knew. I could tell by the look on her face that she knew.

And that’s all that mattered.

And then, it was like we were little girls, sworn to secrecy….secretly planning the big moment when she would walk out and take everyone’s breath away. Especially, her groom.

That moment when she rang the bell and said yes to her dress. Where I became choked up with emotion and the tears trickled down.

My baby is getting married.

And…

No, we’re not sharing.

No, you can’t just get a peek.

No, not even a glimpse.

For a bride only has that one moment, when it’s all about her, about her wishes, her dreams; that moment when her father will first see her as he prepares to take her to meet her groom. And that moment when her groom will see all she has planned and prepared for him, on their wedding day.

In case you didn’t know….that’s what we did today.

Dec 01 2010

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I'll be honest and say that things have been really rough this week. The Princess and Chicken Noodle Butt's lives are turned upside down and my hands are tied in helping them. Being the mother/aunt that I am, they are constantly on my mind as I wonder what they are thinking and feeling each moment of the day and unable to comfort them at all. I have never felt more helpless in my life.

Last week I was off for most of the week. We celebrated two birthdays and Thanksgiving. Family time was high on the list as we had three days of celebration.

It was wonderful to make new memories as we laughed and laughed over old memories!

We went on a roller coaster ride despite my fear of rollercoasters. And we laughed (ok, I was laughed at) as they talked about my fear the last time Dad made me go on one…and made fun of my look of terror.

And then we talked of skydiving…and how I'll jump out of an airplane, but am afraid of a little ole rollercoaster…yeah, ok. At least with skydiving, you are floating, not crashing down at speeds no human being should have to endure!

We laughed at my baby nephew as he kissed the dog…while the dog kissed him…and how fast his mom swooped him up!

We had enchiladas and remembered making them for fundraisers for mission trips to Mexico…and how our friend who shall remain nameless thought Taco Bell was/is an appropriate place for Mexican food. Of course, said friend and family were there to share with us…and the many memories we've had over the years.

And we watch Christmas Story and laughed all the way through. We talked of Red Ryder BB guns and leg lamps that we'll get as a prank gift for someone one day. And washing mouths out with soap and poisoning children…and placing your tongue on frozen things…and laughed at our memory of the older kids convincing the Drama Queen to place her tongue on a frozen can of orange juice…and then her bleeding tongue…and then me finding the frozen taste buds glued to the can a few days later.

We have so many wonderful memories and lots and lots of laughter.

Sometimes, we just need to laugh.

And find our joy.

Oct 27 2010

Bad Mom Award

Today was one of those days. It's one of those days where I am realizing how much adjusting I have to do as a full-time working mom.

The Drama Queen has very busy Wednesdays, so I try to remember to have her have everything ready on Tuesday night before she goes to bed. Early. Well, at least I try to get her to bed early.

It doesn't always happen.

So on Wednesdays, we rush out the door with everything she'll need for the rest of the day.

After work, we go straight to dance.

Dance bag; check.

Get to dance.

Dance pants in dance bag; check? Nope. Ok, so I remind her why it's important to make sure she's ready the night before and now she'll have to wear jeans to dance. I don't have time to get her home and back. She's not thrilled, but she realizes it's also lack of preparation on her part. And we walk inside.

To a room full of girls all dressed up.

Because today was dress up day. They're in cute costumes of bumble bees, angels, and princesses.

And she's in jeans.

And she doesn't even complain.

We forgot. I feel terrible. And she's a trooper.

After dance, she realizes she's forgotten her AWANA book. Too late, Dad can't go back and get it.

See, after dance, she goes straight to AWANA at church. It works because she has some special daddy time that they enjoy each week.

Again, she realizes she needs to prepare better and have her book in her bag.

Here's where we switch gears for a moment. I'm headed home with the Smart One (Dad picks up the Drama Queen from me at dance and gives me the Smart One to take home after he's just finished bowling.) Anywho, it's Bboo calling. Who's taking her to the game tonight, because she has to dance at half-time?

Yeah, I forgot. She doesn't usually do this on Wednesdays. I let her know I'm on my way home and hear her lose it. Because now the dog is sick and went on my carpet and what is she to do?

I get home, clean it up as best as I can, call dad to get the carpet shampooer from his sister, realize we're not having dinner anytime soon and get her to the game and the Smart One to karate. (Now you can understand why Wednesdays are so hard!)

Hubby helps get dinner going; we both end up missing Bboo dancing at the game; I get the carpet shampooed while hubby deals with yet another issue…and finally, we ask a friend to bring home the Drama Queen. She does.

And the Drama Queen walks in to let me know the her car one two races tonight and came in 3rd in another race. And nobody voted for her car in the design category and that made her sad. And she was a little sad that Daddy and I didn't make it to watch her race, but that's ok, because she knows we love her.

*Sigh*

We missed the AWANA Grand Prix races tonight.

Yeah, I forgot about that one, too.

I'm pretty sure I could win the Bad Mom Award tonight.

Or maybe not. Because despite it all, I have great children who tell me they understand and love me and don't hold it against me that I messed up.

And that brings me joy.

Oct 07 2010

Dancing

So often when we are stressed as parents, we tend to take it out on our children. This week, I decided to have them de-stress me instead. Take that moment, you know?

So the other morning when I knew what was coming at work, I had the Drama Queen crank up the music…and grabbed the Smart One…and we danced! We twirled and danced and twirled and laughed and it was great!

So, the next time you are a little cranky or need a pick me up…I suggest you grab your kid and dance and sing…and make sure you twirl!

What joy it will bring you!

Sep 30 2010

Looking, when we don’t have to!

It's Just for the Joy of It over at Good, True and Beautiful. Love it!

Except, I'm a working mom now and don't get a lot of pictures and don't have enough time with my family. And that's ok.

But it's forced me to look for joy in new ways.

In the little precious moments like: singing with the Drama Queen on the way to work! We have a few moments of let's talk….while she anxiously waits to turn up the radio and see what fabulous song we'll sing together!

I look foward to the texts from my high schoolers that I know I'll get as soon as they are out of school.

And those moments when I get home from work and seek out the Smart One to find out how his day went.

Then there's the joy in hubby calling to check in with me at work and make sure I'm ok.

And there's always joy in Wednesday and Sunday, when we have our regularly scheduled guests who join us for lunch or dinner.

And of course, my oldest son always makes me smile when he shows up.

I have a the best family and friends.

and that's what brings me joy this week!